Cake breaker for laundry apparatus



Dec. 15, 1970 M. HERTIG CAKE BREAKER FOR'LAUNDRY APPARATUS I Filed Oct. 7, 1968 INVIL A' I OA.

United States Paten 3,546,903 CAKE BREAKER FOR LAUNDRY APPARATUS Max Hertig, Syracuse, N.Y., assiguor to G. A. Braun, Inc., Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 7, 1968, Ser. No. 765,369 Int. Cl. D06f 33/02 US Cl. 68-12 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination washing-extracting machine including an apparatus for breaking a cake of Washed material which is formed during the extracting operation, away from an interior surface of a perforated, rotatably mounted cylinder of the machine. The apparatus for breaking the cake of washed material away from the interior of the drum includes a source of compressed air, a conduit means for directing a blast of air through perforations formed in the cylinder of the washing-extracting machine to force the washed material out of the perforations and away from the interior surface of the cylinder for facilitating removal of the material from the machine subsequent to the completion of the extracting cycle, and selectively operated valve means for connecting the source of compressed air to the conduit means at a preselected time during the washing-extracting cycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to commercial laundry equipment and more particularly refers to commercial washing-extracting machines having two-speed Washing cylinders, a low speed for use during a washing operation and a high speed for use during an extracting operation.

Description of the prior art Commercial laundry equipment, utilized for either the combined operation of washing and extracting soiled laundry material or the single operation of extracting fluid from previously washed material generally includes a rotatably mounted cylinder disposed for rotation about a horizontally extending axis. This rotatably mounted cylinder normally is formed with a multiplicity of perforations passing through a cylindrical side wall thereof to provide outlets for the fluid extracted from the material disposed within the cylinder by the centrifugal force created by the rapid rotation of the cylinder.

During the extracting operation, it is common in this type of apparatus for the laundry material to be forced into a compacted mass around an interior surface of the rotating cylinder with a portion of the material forced into the perforations. This compacted mass of material from which fluids have been extracted is referred to in the laundry industry as a cake of material.

It should be appreciated that commercial laundry operations require laundry equipment with a high degree of efliciency, i.e., an operating cycle having a short time interval and means for rapidly loading and unloading the machines.

Although, the prior art includes means for rapidly loading a washing-extracting machine and means for conveying the laundry material from the machine to a subsequent station, such prior art apparatus operates at its maximum efiiciency only when the laundry material is easily dumped from the rotatably mounted cylinder. It should be appre ciated that the forcing of a portion of the laundry material into the perforations of the rotatably mounted cylinder creates a cake of material which adheres to the interior of the cylinder even while the cylinder is rotating at a rela- 3,546,903 Patented Dec. 15, 1970 tively slow speed. Heretofore, laundry equipment including an extracting operation has not included means for promoting the release of the cake of material from the interior of the drum, rather prior devices have relied upon slowly reducing the speed of cylinder and allowing the laundry material to fall away from the interior of the cylinder under the influence of its own weight. It has been found that such prior art devices require either a long interval of time for the slow down operation to permit the material to fall away from the interior of the cylinder or an additional manual operation to pull the compacted mass of material away from the interior of the cylinder. Thus, it should be appreciated that the efliciency of commercial laundry equipment could be greatly increased by providing means for promoting the release of the compacted mass or cake of laundry material from the interior of the cylinder.

Means for promoting the release of the cake of material from the interior of the cylinder would both permit a relatively rapid braking of the cylinder from its maximum extracting speed to a stopped position and assure that an additional manual operation would not be required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates providing a commercial laundry apparatus, including an extracting operation, with means for promoting the release of laundry material which becomes compacted against an interior surface of a perforated, rotatably mounted cylinder included in the laundry apparatus for receiving the laundry material. A preferred embodiment of the present invention involves directing a blast or stream of compressed air against an exterior surface of the rotatably mounted cylinder in a manner to force the compressed air through perforations formed in the drum. The compressed air will force any laundry material which has become lodged in the perforations during the extracting operation inwardly toward the center of the cylinder, thereby permitting the compacted mass or cake of laundry material to be released from the interior surface of the cylinder and to fall toward the center thereof. With the compacted mass of laundry material released from the interior surface of the rotating cylinder, the material is in a position to be easily dumped from the cylinder without the necessity of either an additional manual operation to pull the material toward the center of the cylinder or a relatively long slow down cycle to permit the material to fall away from the wall under the influence of its own weight. Therefore, commercial laundry equipment constructed to include the provisions of the present invention may be operated with a rapid braking operation to arrest the rotation of the drum subsequent to the extracting operation, thereby to provide means for substantially decreasing the period of time consumed by the operating cycle of a washing-extracting machine.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for providing a stream or blast of air directed through the perforations of the rotatably mounted cylinder includes a source of compressed air, a conduit means for directing a stream of air against the exterior periphery of the rotatably mounted cylinder in a manner to permit the air to pass through the perforations thereof and selectively operated valve means for connecting the conduit means to the source of compressed air. The selectively operated valve means opens in response to a signal from a timing apparatus of the washing-extracting machine to permit passage of compressed air to the conduit means subsequent to the completion of the extracting operation and during the time the cylinder is being braked from its maximum rotation to a stopped position. The conduit means may include one or more air passageways for directing the compressed air against the periphery of the rotatably mounted drum. Also, the source of compressed air includes a high pressure air compressor having an outlet thereof connected in a conventional manner to an air filtering device which in turn has an outlet thereof in fluid communication with an air reservoir tank. The reservoir tank is continuously fed with high pressure compressed air, thereby to provide a source of compressed air sufficient to supply the intermittent demands contemplated by the present invention.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a commercial laundry machine including an extracting operation with means for promoting release of laundry material which is compacted against an interior surface of a rotatably mounted cylinder provided for receiving the laundry material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a commercial washingextracting machine embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the features of the present invention as applied to both an end loading, three-compartment washing-extracting machine and a side loading, single-compartment machine; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a portion of a perforated, rotatably mounted cylinder of a washing-extracting machine and a compressed air outlet nozzle of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a combination washingextracting machine embodying the features of the present invention is indicated generally at reference numeral 10. The machine comprises an imperforate cylinder housing or shell 11 extending on a horizontal axis between rectangularly shaped front and back plates 12 and 13, respectively.

Situated within and disposed coaxially of the shell 11 is a washing cylinder 14 in which soiled material to be laundered is deposited. The washing cylinder 14 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 15 and is formed with a multiplicity of generally radially extending apertures, as at 16, passing through a cylindrical wall thereof. The apertures 16 provide an inlet for water and detergent during the Washing cycle of the machine 10 and also provide outlet passageways for the Water removed from the washed material during the extracting operation.

The ends of the housing 11 are closed, and a front end of the housing is provided with a removable door 19 closing an opening 20 through which the laundry material is loaded into and removed from the washing cylinder 14. As best seen in FIG. 12, the cylinder 14 of the washingextracting machine 10 is longitudinally divided into three compartments by partitions such as 21. During the loading and unloading operations each compartment of the washing cylinder 14 is sequentially moved into registry with the opening 20 to provide ingress and egress means for each compartment. The location of the opening 20 formed in one of the closed ends of the housing 11 with respect to the washing cylinder 14 is illustrated by phantom lines in FIG. 2.

The front panel 12 is also provided with an opening 24 in registry with the opening 20 of the housing 11. During the operation of the machine 10 the opening 24 is closed by means of a door 25 which is hinged as indicated at 26 and which is provided with latch means 27 and 28,

and a conveyor system is normally situated below the front plate for receiving laundered material removed from the machine. Commercial laundry machines, such as the machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, are commonly provided with means for elevating the front portion to facilitate loading and also are provided with means for raising the rear portion of the machine to facilitate the unloading thereof.

During a washing operation the washing cylinder 14 is rotated at a relatively low speed by means of an electric motor 31, and during an extracting operation the drum is rotated by a relatively high speed motor 32. Both motors are drivingly connected to the cylinder shaft 15 through a multi-belt drive which comprises a sheave mounted on the low speed motor 31, another sheave mounted on the high speed motor 32 and a relatively large sheave keyed to the cylinder shaft 15.

It should be understood that the machine 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely exemplary of the type of laundry apparatus in which the features of the present invention may be utilized. A second type of washingextracting machine with which the features of the present invention may be advantageously utilized is also illustrated in FIG. 2 and is indicated generally by reference numeral 10'. The machine 10' also includes an outer shell or housing 36 and a coaxially disposed washing cylinder 37. The washing cylinder of the machine 10' is not divided into compartments, but instead provides one open pocket for receiving soiled laundry material therein. The ends of the shell 36 are closed, and an outer cylindrical wall 38 of the shell 36 is provided with an opening 39. Additionally, an outer cylindrical wall of the washing cylinder 37 is provided with an opening 41 which is positioned in registry with the opening 39 when the machine is not in operation to provide ingress and egress means for loading and unloading the washing cylinder. The openings 39 and 41 are selectively closed by removable doors 43, and 44 respectively.

It should also be understood that the advantageous features of the present invention are not limited in their application merely to combination washing-extracting machines, but these features may also advantageously be employed with single operation, extracting apparatus.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the standard washing-extracting machines 10 and 10' are additionally provided with means for promoting the release of laundry material which has become compacted against an interior surface of the cylinder 14 during the extracting operation. The means for promoting the release of the laundry material comprises a nozzle 50 formed to direct a stream of air unto an outer periphery 51 of the washing cylinders 14 or '37. As illustrated in detail in FIG. 3, the nozzle 50 may be formed with a substantially cylindrical throat section 56 which is fittingly secured within an aperture 52 of the shell 11 or 36 and a frusto-conical section 57 providing a wide opening as at 58 forming an outlet for the nozzle in close proximity to the outer periphery 51 of the washing cylinder 14 or 37. It should be understood that more than one nozzle such as 50 may be provided, and these additional nozzles may be arranged in any number of ways including: disposed in a spiral pattern around the shell 11 or 36; longitudinally spaced along the shells; or circumferentially spaced around the periphery of the shell.

It is also contemplated by the present invention that the nozzle 50 may take on configurations other than that illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the nozzle may be formed to provide a manifold extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell 14 or 36.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, means for supplying a source of high pressure compressed air is provided and includes an air reservoir tank 59 characterized by an outlet fitting 60 and an inlet fitting 61 having a filter unit 62 attached thereto. High pressure compressed air is supplied to an inlet end of the filter 62 as at 63 from a conventional high pressure air compressor. For purposes of illustration, the air reservoir tank 59 is shown as being connected to two nozzles 50, 50 associated respectively with the washing machines and 10, but it should be understood that one air reservoir tank may be provided for each individual machine 10 or 10'. Accordingly, the outlet fitting 60 of the air reservoir tank 59 has a T connector 66 connected thereto for providing a pair of outlet openings 70, 70.

It is also contemplated by the present invention that the egress of compressed air from the reservoir tank 59 be controlled by means of shut-off valves 67 and 68, which are connected to the outlets 70, 70 at the connector 66. The shut-off valves 67 and 68 are desirably electrically actuated solenoid valves which facilitate utilizing an electrical timer mechanism associated with most commercial washing-extracting machines for the control thereof.

Means for controlling operation of the valves 67 and 68 are included in a machine control circuit 69. The valves 67 and 68 are connected, respectively, via lead lines 67a and 68a to the control circuit. The control circuit 69 includes the time mechanism for sequentially controlling the operation in the machine cycles including operation of the valves 67 and 68 at a termination of the extracting cycle. If a user of the machine desires, a series of blasts of compressed air, rather than a single blast or stream of air, may be provided by intermittently operating the valves 67 and 68 or by utilizing valves of a type adapted to deliver intermittent blasts or slugs of air.

Due to the tilting feature of the washing-extracting machine 10, it is desirable to connect an outlet end as at 71 of the valve 67 to the nozzle 50, associated with the machine 10, by means of a flexible tube 72. The flexible tube 72 has opposed end portions thereof sealingly clamped, respectively, to the nozzle 50 and the outlet opening 71 of the valve 67 by means of clamps 73 and 74.

The side loading, washing-extracting machine 10' does not normally require tilting for its loading and unloading operations, therefore, an outlet end 76 of the valve 68 may be directly connected to the nozzle 50 associated with the machine 10' by means of a rigid tube 77.

The flexible tube 72 and the rigid tube 77 are preferably of a large diameter to permit a high volume of compressed air to pass therethrough to facilitate releasing of the compacted materials from the interior surfaces of the washing cylinders 14 and 37.

During an extracting operation, the washing cylinders 14 and 37 are rotated at a relatively high rate of speed to create a suflicient centrifugal force to force the Water from the laundry material. This high centrifugal force also causes the laundry material to be compacted into a mass or cake around the interior surface of the washing cylinders 14 and 37. Additionally, a portion of the laundry material is forced into the perforations 16 as indicated by reference character 81 in FIG. 3. The forcing of a portion of the laundry material into the perforations 16 formed in the washing cylinder 14 and 37 causes the compacted mass of laundry material to adhere to the interior surface of the washing cylinders. As discussed hereinabove, the adhering of the cake of the laundry material to the cylinders 14 and '37 causes severe problems with regards to removing the laundry material from the cylinders subsequent to the extracting operation.

Therefore, it is contemplated by the present invention that a stream or series of blasts of compressed air be provided from the reservoir tank 59 through the control valves 67 and 68, respectively, to the nozzles 50, 50 associated with the washing-extracting machines 10 and 10'. With a nozzle having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the stream or series of blasts of compressed air are fanned outwardly as indicated by arrows 83. Due both to the close proximity of the nozzles 50 to the washing cylinders 14 and 37 and the rotation of the cylinders during a braking operation, wherein the rotation of the cylinders is rapidly slowed from the maximum extracting speed to a stop disposition, the stream of compressed air is forced inwardly with respect to the cylinders through the perforation 16 thereof. Thus, the stream of compressed air inwardly forces that portion of the laundry material which is lodged within the perforations 16, thereby to allow the laundry material to fall away from the interior surface of the washing cylinders. Additionally, the stream of compressed air tends to break up the compacted mass of laundry material formed by the extracting operation, thereby to facilitate removing the laundry material from the washing cylinders 14 and 37 during the unloading process.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a laundry machine having a rotatably mounted cylinder for receiving laundry material and formed with a substantially cylindrical wall portion having apertures extending therethrough, the improvement comprising:

means for supplying compressed air through the apertures in a manner to promote release of the laundry material which is compacted against an interior surface of the cylinder.

2. A laundry machine as defined in claim 1, further characterized by:

said means for supplying compressed air through the apertures includes means for directing a stream of compressed air onto an outer periphery of the cylinder in a substantially radial direction thereto. 3. A laundry machine as defined in claim 1, further characterized by:

said means for supplying compressed air through the apertures includes means providing a source of compressed air; conduit means for directing compressed air through the apertures formed in the cylinder to force compacted laundry material away from the interior surface of the cylinder; valve means selectively connecting said conduit means to said source of compressed air; means controlling said valve means to actuate the latter for connecting said means providing a source of compressed air to said conduit to promote release of the laundry material from the interior of the cylinder prior to unloading the machine. 4. A laundry machine as defined in claim 3, further characterized by:

said conduit means including a nozzle supported outwardly of the cylinder and formed to direct compressed air onto an outer periphery of the cylinder and through the apertures. 5. A laundry machine as defined in claim 4, further characterized by:

said nozzle having a terminal portion formed to provide an outwardly flared opening disposed adjacent said outer periphery of the cylinder. 6. A laundry machine as defined in claim 4, further characterized by:

said nozzle disposed to direct a stream of compressed air against said outer periphery of the cylinder in a direction parallel to a radius of said cylinder. 7. A laundry machine as defined in claim 3, further comprising:

a timing mechanism sequentially controlling the operation of the machine; and said valve means being actuated in response to said timing mechanism to connect said conduit means to said source of compressed air.

8. A laundry machine as defined in claim 3, further References Cited characterlzed y: UNITED STATES PATENTS said means providing a source of compressed air 1neluding an air reservoir tank adapted to receive and 2,990,706 7/1961 9 6824X store high pressure compressed air. 3,102,407 9/1963 Stllwen 6824X 9. A laundry machine as defined in claim 3, further 5 3,116,243 12/1963 Khan et 6824X characterized by:

said means for controlling said valve means adapted WILLIAM PRICE, Primary Exammer to actuate said valve means for connecting said means providing a source of compressed air to said 1 conduit means in a manner to provide a series of 68 23 5, 24 blasts of compressed air to said conduit means. 

